How to help

Donations to Crain's family may be made to the Officer and Family Assistance Fund and sent to the Riverside Police Officers' Association, 1965 Chicago Ave. Suite B, Riverside, CA 92507. Information: 951-784-1034 or rpoa.org.

RIVERSIDE – Officer Michael Crain loved being a policeman and was proud to serve his country, but nothing in his life was more important than his family.

That was the message Wednesday as law enforcement officials from San Francisco to Indio joined family and friends in mourning the death of the 34-year-old Riverside Police Department officer who authorities believe was killed in an ambush by former Los Angeles police officer Christopher Dorner.

About 1,000 people, including Gov. Jerry Brown and state Attorney General Kamala Harris, gathered at the Grove Community Church in Riverside to honor the fallen officer.

An honor guard of hundreds of police cars, SUVs and motorcycles formed a procession from the mortuary to the church, crossing beneath a flag hoisted by two fire trucks, then on to the burial at Riverside National Cemetery. Along the route, local families waved flags and held signs of support for the Crain family and law enforcement. As an honor guard escorted the flag-draped casket into the church, row after row of men and women representing police and sheriff's departments as well as state and federal agencies stood straight in dress uniforms of dark blue, green and brown.

"I knew a lot of people loved Mike," his wife Regina told the crowd. "But I really did not realize the sheer scope of this and how many people were touched by his life. It gives me great comfort to see that."

Officers in attendance described the brotherhood of law enforcement and their desire to pay respect. Lt. Forest Meadows of the Indio Police Department said Crain's death felt senseless, even in a profession where any hour on duty can bring danger. He said he hoped the large number of officers in attendance would show Crain's family that they will not be alone.

"The law enforcement community is always going to be there for them," he said.

Sgt. Rudy Lopez of the Los Angeles Police Department said more than 100 people from his department attended to show solidarity.

"At any time, it could be one of us," he said.

A selfless life

Crain grew up in the Riverside area and attended Redlands High School.

During high school, Crain was a creature of habit at lunchtime, ordering a hamburger, cherry Pepsi and chocolate doughnuts every day. Negroni's girlfriend began joining the boys at lunch, though she never had money or food of her own. Crain had made it clear he didn't like her, but he began offering Negroni an extra $1.50 each day to pay for her food. Around the same time, the chocolate doughnuts disappeared from Crain's plate, and he claimed he was trying to eat healthier to improve his football game. Finally, Negroni and the girl broke up. Crain began ordering chocolate doughnuts again.

"Only then did I realize for about a year and a half, he sacrificed his precious chocolate doughnuts so someone he couldn't stand could have something to eat," Negroni said. "I'd never seen someone do something so selfless and thankless."

After a year of attending college classes, Crain found a calling to serve others in the Marines.

"He was made to do that job," Frazer said.

There, he learned tactical and leadership skills that translated to his service in the Riverside Police Department.

His brother Jason described the officer's courage, honor and willingness to sacrifice throughout his life.

Riverside Police Chief Sergio Diaz presents Regina Crain, the widow of officer Michael Crain, with the flag that draped her husband's casket Wednesday. Officer Crain was laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery Wednesday afternoon. Authorities believe Crain was killed in an ambush by former Los Angeles police officer Christopher Dorner. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Law enforcement personnel from around the state and beyond lined up at silent attention to honor the 11-year police veteran and Marine Michael Crain who was interred at Riverside National Cemetery Wednesday. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A sea of blue surrounded the casket of Riverside police officer Michael Crain as his comrades honored him in a committal ceremony at Riverside National Cemetery Wednesday. Law-enforcement personnel from around the state and beyond joined the family in saluting the slain lawman, an 11-year police veteran and Marine. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A traditional riderless horse with the rider's boots turned backwards, enters the solemn ceremony for gunned-down Riverside police officer Michael Crain. He was laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery Wednesday afternoon. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Anita Millanponce, of Rialto, watches as a seemingly endless line of police motorcycles and vehicles enter Riverside National Cemetery Wednesday. She didn't know slain Riverside police officer Michael Crain, but she said it was important for her to be there. "I pray the family will have strength," she said. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Ava Martin, a young mourner at Riverside police officer Michael Crain's interment ceremony at Riverside National Cemetery, held a solitary rose in memory of the fallen officer. Her family was in attendance in support of the Riverside police family Wednesday. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The badges of Riverside police officers honored the passing of Officer Michael Crain. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A Riverside Police Department honor guard removes the flag from the casket of fellow officer Michael Crain before the flag's presentation to his widow Regina Crain at Riverside National Cemetery Wednesday afternoon. Christopher Dorner. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Riverside police honored one of their own Wednesday, as the casket of fellow officer Michael Crain was laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery Wednesday. "Officer Crain was a great professional. He was a cop's cop," said Riverside police Lt. Andy Flores, at right. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Riverside police personnel comfort each other following a committal ceremony at Riverside National Cemetery for slain officer Michael Crain. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
C. Griffitts, of the Riverside police, reflects on the solemn ceremony before him as fellow officer Michael Crain was laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery Wednesday. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Riverside police officer Stacie Ontko is comforted by a fellow officer following the committal ceremony for slain officer Michael Crain. Crain was laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery Wednesday. Law-enforcement personnel from around the state and beyond joined the family of Crain in mourning the 11-year police veteran and Marine. Police believe Crain was killed in an ambush by former Los Angeles police officer Christopher Dorner. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Law-enforcement personnel from around the state and West Coast joined the family of Michael Crain as he was mourned at Riverside National Cemetery Wednesday. H. LORREN AU JR., ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Sheriff deputies stand together at the funeral for Riverside police officer Michael Crain at Grove Community Church in Riverside on Wednesday. Crain was killed Feb. 7 by a man that police suspect was ex-LAPD officer Chris Dorner. JONATHAN ALCORN, GETTY IMAGES
Law-enforcement officers at the funeral of Riverside police officer Michael Crain on Wednesday. JONATHAN ALCORN, GETTY IMAGES
Officer Michael Crain, an 11-year veteran of the Riverside Police Department.
Los Angeles Police Department officers attend the funeral service for Riverside police officer Michael Crain at Grove Community Church in Riverside on Wednesday. Crain was killed Feb. 7 by a man that police suspect was ex-LAPD officer Chris Dorner. JONATHAN ALCORN, GETTY IMAGES
Police patrol cars and motorcycles escort the hearse containing the casket of Riverside officer Michael Crain outside the Grove Community Church in Riverside on Wednesday. The 34-year-old Crain was ambushed in his patrol car on Feb. 7. DAMIAN DOVARGANES, AP
A man holds an American flag outside the funeral for Riverside police officer Michael Crain at Grove Community Church in Riverside on Wednesday. JONATHAN ALCORN, GETTY IMAGES
Police patrol cars and motorcycles escort the hearse containing the casket of Riverside officer Michael Crain outside the Grove Community Church in Riverside on Wednesday. DAMIAN DOVARGANES, AP
A funeral hearse carrying the casket of Riverside officer Michael Crain arrives at the Grove Community Church in Riverside. DAMIAN DOVARGANES, AP
Mourners place signs on the wall before services for Riverside police officer Michael Crain at the Grove Community Church. DAMIAN DOVARGANES, AP

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